Family of SANDF soldier Itumeleng Moreo mourns his passing

The family of Itumeleng Moreo, one of the 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), says it has lost its pillar of strength.

Moreo and the 13 other SANDF members were killed in fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese military in the town of Goma about two weeks ago.

Moreo, who hails from the North West, joined the army in 2010.

Jerry Moreo, family spokesperson, remembers Itumeleng fondly, “As the first-born child here at my sister’s home, he was a bread winner. He has got two younger brothers that he took care of ever since he started working. He was a very jolly character, very jolly; he was very humble, very respectful towards the elders. he loved his family, he loved the cousins, ever since he got married, he loved his wife and kids…He was you know, eish.”

The Moreo family has taken comfort in the last video their loved one sent them.

“There is a video message that he once sent to his wife, just basically telling his wife that she must know that he will always love them. The situation is bad over there. Apparently as he was busy taking that video there were sounds at the back, you know, indicating that they were in the war front and it was really bad,” adds Jerry Moreo.

On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and senior members of the SANDF officially handed over the bodies of the soldiers to their families at Swartkop Air Force Base in Centurion, Pretoria.

Report by Thabang Morutloa

SANDF Fallen Soldiers | Family of Itumeleng Moreo from North West mourns his passing